Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-20

carefully secured as Agnes mad seen IL Wnen
she tried the key in the lock with her own
hand.
While the Montbarrys were still Mt dinner
Henry Wcstwick joined them, arriving from
Milan.
When he entered the room, and again |
when he advanced to shake hands with her,
Agnes was conscious OF latent feeling which |
secretly reciprocated Henry's unconcealed |
pleasure on meeting her again. For mo-
ment only she returned his look; and in that
moment her own observation told her that
she had silently encouraged him to hope
She saw 1t in the sudden glow OF happiness
which overspread his face; and she con-
fusedly took refuge in the usual conventional
inquiries relating to the relatives whom 10
had left ut Milan.
Taking his place at the table, Henry gavo
a most amusing account of the position OF
his brother Francis, between the mercenary
opera dancer OH one side, and the unsciupu-
lous manager. OF tho French theatre on tho
other. Matters had proceeded 10 such ex-
tremities that the law had been called on To
Interfere, and had decided the dispute In
favor OF Francis, On winning the victory,
the English manager had at once left Milan,
recalled To London by the affairs OF his
thcntre. He was accompanied on the journey
hack. as he had been accompanied on tho
tourney out, by his sister, Resolved, after
passing two nights Of terror In the Venetian
hotel, never to enter it again, Mrs. Norbury
asked to he excused from appearing at the
family festival, on the ground of Ill health.
AT her age travelling fatigued her, and she
was glad to take advantage Of her brothers
escort TO return TO England.
While tho talk at the dinner table flowed
easily onward, the evening time sdVanoed
10 night, and it became necessary to think OF
sending the children to bed.
As Agnes rose to leave the room, accompa-
MED by the eldest girl, she observed with sur
prise that Hcnry's manner suddenly changed.
He looked serious and preoccupied, and when
his niece wished him good night he abruptly
said to her, marian, [ want to know what
part of tho hotel you sieep inp Marian,
puzzled by the question, answered that she
was going to sleep as usual with Aunt
Apnes,n Not satisfied with that reply, Henry
next inquired whether the bedroom was near
the rooms occupied by the other members OF
tho travelling party. Answering for the
Guild and wondering what Henry's object
could possibly be, Agnes mentioned the po-
lite sacrifice made TO her convenience by
Mrs. James. GThanks to that lady's kind
ness y she said, marian and l are only on
the other side of tho drawing room" Henry
made no rcmGrk; he looked incomprehensi-
bly disconnected as he opened the door for
AGNES and her companion to pass out After
wishing them good night he waited in the
corridor until he saw them enter the fatal
corner room, and then he called abruptly to
his brother: ACome out, stephen, and let us
smoke"
To sneak together privately Henry explained
the motive which had led 10 his staango in
o,iriss nbout tho bedrooms. Francis had in
formed hin, Of the meeting with the countess
| at Vonico. and Of all that had followed it, and
Henry now carefully repeated the narrative
| 10 his brother in all Its details 81 am not
satisfied he added, "about that woman's
purpose in giving up her ROOM Without
alarming the ladies by telling them what
have lust told you, can you not warn Agnes
10 be careful in securing her door, Lord
Montbarry replied that the warning had al
ready been given by his wife, and Agnes
might be trusted 10 take good caro- OF herself
md her little bed fellow. For the rest, he
Looked upon the wonderful story OF the
countess and her superstitions as piece OF
theatrical exaggeration, amusing enough In
itself. but quite unworthy OF moments 50
riOus attention.
While the gentlemen were absent from the
hotel. the room which had been already asso'
ciated with so many startling circumstances
becamo the scene OF another strange evont,
| I'm which Lady Montbarry's eldest child wa
concerned.
Little Marian had been got ready for bed
ne usual, and had $50 far taken hardly any
notice of the new room. As she knelt down
10 saw her prayers she happened TO look VI
AT that part OF the ceiling above her which
was inst over the head Of the bed. The mex
instant she alarmed Agnes by starting TO hel
feet with cry Of terror and pointing to
small brown spot on ono Of tho white paneled
spaces Of the carved ceiling. "Its spot oil
bloodr' tho child exclaimed. "Tako ne
awayi won't sleep horel'
Seeing plainly that IL would be useless tS
reason with her while she was In the room
Agnes huIriedy wrapped Marian In dress
Ing gown and carried her back to her mothel
in tho drawing room Hero the ladies die
their hest to soothe and reassure the trem
bling girl. Tho effort proved to be uselcss'
the impression that had been produced on the
young and sensitive mind was not to be re
moved by persuasion Marian could give nc
explanation of the panic and terror that had
seized her. She was quite unable to say why
the spot on the ceiling looked like the color oil
a spot OF blood. She only knew that she
should die of terror il she saw 1t again. I'm
der these circumstances, but one alternative
was left It was arranged that the child
should pass the night In the room occupied by
her two younger sisters and the nurse.
In half an hour more Marian was peace
, fully asleep with her arm around her sister,
neck. Lady Montbarry went back with Ag
mes TO her room to sec the spot on the ceiling
which had so strangely frightened the child
1t was so small as to be only just perceptible
!. and had in all probability been caused by thu
carelessness Of n workman, or by dripping
; from water accidentally spilled on the foo
Of the room above.
II really cannot understand why Marian
should place such n terrible Interpretation oil
such trihing thing" Lady MontbarTy re
marked.
81 suspect the nurse Is In some way answer
able for what has happened" Agnes suggest
cd. "She may quite possibly have been tell
ing Marian some tragic nursery story which
has left its mischievous impression behind it
Persons in her position nro sadly ignorant o.
the danger Of exciting child's imagination
You had better caution the nurse to-mor
row.
Lady Montbarry looked round the room
with admiration.
ais it not prettily decoratedT" she said. -
suppose, Agnes, you don't mind sleeping hor'
by yourselfP
Agnes laughed.
~ feel so tired" she replied, "that wai
thinking of bidding you good night, instead
OF going back to the drawing room"
Lady Montbarry turned toward the door.
az see your Jewel case on the table" she re-
sumed. "Don't forget to lock the other dooi
there, in tho dressing room"
az have already seen to IL, and tried the
key myself said Agnes. "Can be OF any
use 10 you before go to bedp
mo, my dear, thank you; feel sleepy
enough to follow your example Good night
Agnes-and pleasant dreams on your first
night In Venice"
CHAPTER KIN.
Having closed and secured the door on
Lady Montbarry's departure, Agnes put OIL
her dressing gown, and, turning to hor open
boxes, began the business of unpacking In
the hurry Of making her toilet for dinner she
had taken the first dress that lay uppermost